Word on the Street: Bathe your dog at do-it-yourself store in Fresno

You can now wash a dog – or a cat or even a lizard – at a new north Fresno business, TopDog Do It Yourself Dog Wash.

The business opened recently in the RiverView shopping center at Friant and Fort Washington roads, near the Starbucks.

Realistically, most of the customers will likely be of the man’s-best-friend variety. The business has six tubs of varying heights, with steps and ramps to make it easy for doggies to get in. One tub is wheelchair accessible.

The water is set at 80 degrees – dogs like it a little cooler than humans – with all the supplies needed to wash Fido. That includes natural shampoo, combs, brushes, towels and a dryer, says owner Chris Topjian.

“All the stuff is here to do it,” he says. “You leave the mess and walk out with a clean dog.”

Prices $12 for a small dog, $15 for medium and $18 for a large. Customers get $5 off if they bring two dogs in.

Treats are also available to coax nervous canines into the tubs. The business also sells a small selection of dog food, treats and a few toys.

Topjian started the business after seeing something similar while on vacation. He worked 36 years in retail, the last 30 at Save Mart, before retiring.

“I always wanted to have my own business,” he says. “I thought it would be cool.”

Topjian also has two dogs, a Siberian husky and a Lab mix.

Top Dog is at 9415 Fort Washington and can be reached at (559) 231-5667 or online at www.facebook.com/topdogpetwash.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 3:23 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: Bathe your dog at do-it-yourself store in Fresno."